Escapes Under $500: Winter savings on Grand Bahama Island

— -- It's cold outside and you want to get away this winter. However, you don't want to spend too much, especially since the credit card bill from all that gift-buying and holiday travel has finally posted. And since you won't likely have the time or energy to plan, I have an idea to make your life simpler: the Bahamas. The water is warm, the flights from much of the U.S. are plentiful, and the prices are just right.

To make sure the trip would fit into the $500 budget, I zeroed in on Grand Bahama Island, where there are many options for low-cost airfare and affordable accommodations. Plus, you can fly into Freeport and be on the beach sipping a Bahama mama in no time. Talk about getting away from it all.

Finding airfare to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

Over the past few months, airlines have been offering cheap fares to Freeport from cities in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast, even at the last minute. I suspect the trend will continue throughout the winter. This week, for instance, I found a host of fares under $300 from a variety of departure cities for February and March travel. A Las Vegas departure would also fit within the $500 budget, with a slightly more expensive fare of $322.

Orlando to Freeport:$243 (American, Spirit)

Detroit to Freeport:$263 (Delta)

Myrtle Beach to Freeport:$284 (Spirit)

Atlantic City to Freeport:$288 (Spirit)

Boston to Freeport:$288 (Spirit)

New York City to Freeport:$288 (American)

Atlanta to Freeport:$293 (Spirit)

Las Vegas to Freeport:$322 (Spirit)

All fares include taxes and fees.

As of December 2007, the new star of low fares to Freeport has been Spirit Airlines, which now offers flights connecting through Ft. Lauderdale. Unfortunately, Spirit only flies from a handful of departure cities, but travelers from other destinations can find luck with other airlines. For example, US Airways periodically offers last-minute fares from cities like Albany, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. And you can check for last-minute airfares posted Wednesdays on SmarterTravel.com.